Page 18 of The Backup Groom
I obviously underestimated her.
“Anyway, we should get back to why we’re here,” Stella said.
“Absolutely.” Real Estate Ryan handed us fliers with info about the house. “ICYDK, this is a FAB 3-B-2-B with new HVAC and no HOA. We did a CMA and three million is the FMV.”
Stella looked like she understood all that mumbo-jumbo coming out of his mouth. “What would the monthly payment be on a three-million-dollar house with, let’s say, twenty-five percent down?”
“Good question.” He pulled out his phone and tapped away. “Assuming your CS and DTI are A-OK, the best APR with a FRM would get you a PITI MP of right around fifteen-K.”
“Fifteen thousand dollars a month,” Stella said, as if it were no big deal.
I choked on my saliva. “Stella, can I talk to you in private?”
Real Estate Ryan pointed toward the back of the house. “Step outside into the shaded backyard for some private F2F time near the tranquil fountain. FYI, there are cookies in the kitchen. They’re amazing, IMHO.”
I sat down on the bench next to the fountain and took a bite of the cookie I’d snagged.
“Permission to change his name to Ridiculous Ryan,” I whispered.
Stella gave me a sympathetic smile. “Granted.”
“Thank you. Now, please make an excuse so we can get out of here. It’s time to move on to the next Ryan, because this one will not work.”
“What?” Stella said, looking genuinely surprised. “He is perfect for you!”
Now, I was choking on the cookie. “Are you serious? I have known him for fewer than ten minutes and I’m already contemplating the best way to strangle him.”
She reached across to pat my leg. “You don’t understand—you willneversee him. The guy is so hung up on his work that he will be MIA all day.”
I shook my finger at her. “Don’t you dare start with the acronyms.”
“Seriously, he works eighteen hours a day and has open houses on the weekends! He barely has time to sleep, which is what you would already be doing when he gets home from work at night. I’m serious. This is an ideal roommate situation, someone who is never around. And a big reminder, you need to find a husband. Quit being so picky. It’s temporary, not until death do you part.”
She made an excellent point about him probably not being home much.
Stella pulled me to my feet. “Everything is going to work out fine. Come on, follow my lead. When I tell you I can’t have coffee with you, give me a sad face and tell me you really need one. Got it?”
“What does coffee have to do with anything?”
Stella gave me a knowing smile. “You’ll see. Trust me.”
Real Estate Ryan checked his watch as we entered the living room. “BTW, I’m getting ready to close up shop, but this is an amazing opp to get a prop by the taco shop.”
Wonderful. Now, he was Rappin’ Ryan.
“JSYK, don’t take too long to decide because the FOMO is real,” he added.
“Let me think about it,” Stella said. “I got your business card next to the cookies, so I’ll let you know.” She turned to me. “And I got a text from work and need to go back in, which means I’m going to have to take a raincheck on that coffee with you.”
That was my cue.
I frowned. “But I’m dying for another Caramel Spockiato.”
“What’s that?” Real Estate Ryan asked.
“It’s my favorite drink at my favorite place, Bean Me Up, Scotty.”
“Ah . . . I know that place, but I’ve never actually been there.” Real Estate Ryan cleared his throat. “Hey, look, I could really use an afternoon boost, so I’d be happy to head over there with you for some coffee, if you’re up for the company. I can drive.”
